2014 Chevrolet Cruze
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Engine is the leading concern among 702 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 3rd highest complaint count among 10 Cruze model years with reports.
Of the 2014 reports, 70 involved a crash and 17 involved a fire. 57 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Air bags, side/windowNov 6, 2025
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2014 Buick Verano and Chevrolet Cruze vehicles. The left and/or right-side roof-rail air bag (RRAB) inflators located on the roof rails above the headliner, may rupture at the inflator weld joint.
An inflator that ruptures may partially inflate the air bag and cause sharp metal fragments to enter or exit the vehicle, increasing the risk of an injury.
Dealers will replace the left and/or right-side RRAB modules, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 5, 2025. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N252530830. This recall is an expansion of previous NHTSA recall numbers 23V674 and 23V870.
Campaign 25V764000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, side/windowDec 21, 2023
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2014 Buick Verano and Chevrolet Cruze vehicles. The left and/or right-side roof-rail air bag (RRAB) inflators may rupture at the inflator weld joint. This recall is an expansion of Recall 23V-674.
An inflator that ruptures may partially inflate the air bag and cause sharp metal fragments to enter or exit the vehicle, increasing the risk of an injury.
Dealers will replace the left and/or right-side RRAB modules as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 22, 2024. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300 and Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N232425640.
Campaign 23V870000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, side/windowSep 20, 2023
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2014 Buick Verano and Chevrolet Cruze vehicles. The left and/or right-side roof-rail air bag (RRAB) inflators located on the roof rails above the headliner, may rupture at the inflator weld joint.
An inflator that ruptures may partially inflate the air bag and cause sharp metal fragments to enter or exit the vehicle, increasing the risk of an injury.
Dealers will replace the left and/or right-side RRAB modules, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 12, 2024. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N232408490.
Campaign 23V674000 on NHTSA.gov
Electrical system, ignitionJul 5, 2016
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Buick Verano and 2016 Chevrolet Malibu as the electronic park lock lever may allow the ignition key to be removed without the transmission being in PARK. Also, certain 2013 Buick Encore, 2011 Buick Regal, 2013-2014 Buick Verano, 2011-2016 Chevrolet Cruze, 2010-2013 Chevrolet Equinox 2013-2015 Chevrolet Malibu, and 2011-2013 GMC Terrain vehicles may have been serviced with similar defective replacement electronic park lock levers. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 114, "Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention."
If the key is removed without the transmission in PARK, the vehicle may rollaway as occupants are exiting, increasing the risk of injury.
GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and if necessary replace the key cylinder lock housing, free of charge. The recall began on October 14, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, Buick 1-800-521-7300, and GMC 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 50490 and 50491.
Campaign 16V502000 on NHTSA.gov
SteeringJul 10, 2015
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Chevrolet Cruze vehicles manufactured November 8, 2013, to March 12, 2015, and 2015 Chevrolet Volt vehicles manufactured April 11, 2014. In the affected vehicles, the inner tie rod may not be tightened to specification allowing the tie rod to separate from the steering gear.
Separation of the tie rod from the steering gear could result in the loss of steering, increasing the risk of a crash.
GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering gear assembly, free of charge. The recall began on July 28, 2015. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 15386.
Campaign 15V442000 on NHTSA.gov
Equipment, electricalJul 2, 2014
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Buick Encore all-wheel-drive vehicles manufactured August 23, 2012, to September 9, 2013; Verano vehicles manufactured August 8, 2012, to June 20, 2013; Chevrolet Cruze vehicles manufactured August 7, 2012, to August 16, 2013, and 2012-2014 Chevrolet Sonic vehicles manufactured May 10, 2011, to August 16, 2012 equipped with a Calix oil pan/block heater. In cold temperatures, the insulation on the engine block heater cord can become damaged, allowing the wires to be exposed.
Exposed wires increase the risk of electrical shock and personal injury if the cord is handled while it is plugged in.
GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the engine oil pan/block heater cord with a new cord that is rated for temperatures of minus 40 degree Celsius. The recall began in August 2014. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 14257.
Campaign 14V417000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bagsJun 26, 2014
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Chevrolet Cruze vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the driver's front air bag inflator may have been manufactured with an incorrect part.
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's air bag, the air bag's inflator may rupture and the air bag may not inflate. The rupture could cause metal fragments to strike and potentially seriously injure the vehicle occupants. Additionally, if the air bag does not inflate, the driver is at an increased risk of injury.
GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver side air bag, free of charge. The recall began on June 28, 2014. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 14305.
Campaign 14V372000 on NHTSA.gov
Power train, axle assembly, axle shaftMar 31, 2014
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013 and 2014 Chevrolet Cruze vehicles equipped with a 1.4L turbo engine, and manufactured between November 28, 2012, and March 7, 2014. On the affected vehicles, the right front half shaft may fracture and separate.
If the half shaft fractures and separates while driving, the vehicle would lose power and coast to a stop. If a vehicle with a fractured half shaft is parked without the parking brake applied, the vehicle could move unexpectedly. Either condition increases the risk of a crash.
GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the right half shaft, as needed, free of charge. Parts for the remedy are not currently available. GM will send an interim letter to owners in May 2014. A second owner letter will be mailed when parts are available. Owners may contact Chevrolet at 1-866-694-6546. GM's number for this recall is 14079. This is an expansion of recall 13V-452. NOTE: Some vehicles subject to this recall were subject to the recall campaign initiated in 2013. Some of those vehicles were repaired using defective parts. Those owners will be advised that they must have their vehicles remedied again under this campaign and that having the earlier recall completed did not remedy their vehicles.
Campaign 14V151000 on NHTSA.gov
Power train, automatic transmissionFeb 21, 2014
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2014 Buick Regal, LaCrosse, Verano, and Enclave, and Chevrolet Impala, Malibu, Cruze, and Traverse, and GMC Acadia vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions. In the affected vehicles, the transmission shift cable adjuster may disengage from the transmission shift lever. As such, these vehicles do not conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 102, "Transmission Shift Lever Sequence, Starter Interlock, and Transmission Braking Effect." They also fail to conform to FMVSS number 114, "Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention."
If a vehicle's shift cable disengages from the transmission shift lever, a driver may be unable to shift gear positions and the indicated shift position may not represent the gear position the vehicle is in. Should a disengagement occur while the vehicle is being driven, when the driver goes to stop and park the vehicle, the driver may be able to shift the lever to the "PARK" position, but the vehicle transmission may not be in the "PARK" gear position. If the vehicle is not in the "PARK" position there is a risk the vehicle will roll away as the driver and other occupants exit the vehicle or anytime thereafter. A vehicle rollaway increases the risk of injury to exiting occupants and bystanders.
General Motors will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace any affected transmission shift cable adjusters, free of charge. The recall began on April 10, 2014. Chevrolet owners may contact General Motors at 1-800-222-1020, Buick owners at 1-800-521-7300, and GMC owners at 1-800-462-8782. General Motors' number associated with this recall is 14048.
Campaign 14V092000 on NHTSA.gov
Power train, axle assembly, axle shaftSep 23, 2013
General Motors (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013 and 2014 Chevrolet Cruze vehicles equipped with manual transmissions (MF3/MR5) and manufactured January 24, 2013, through August 1, 2013. On the affected vehicles, the right front half shaft may fracture and separate.
If the half shaft fractures and separates while driving, the vehicle would lose power and coast to a stop. If a vehicle with a fractured half shaft is parked without the parking brake applied, the vehicle could move unexpectedly. Either condition increases the risk of a crash.
General Motors has notified owners. Dealers will replace the half shaft assembly, free of charge. The safety recall began on October 15, 2013. Owners may contact General Motors at 1-800-521-7300. This is General Motors campaign number 13276.
Campaign 13V452000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints
702 reports, newest first.
Seat belts, May 11, 2022
Back seat belt came complete undone from the sewn portion of the lock. Very little pull force released the locked belt. Buckle stayed in tact/locked, but the sewn part seems to have been glued, and not sewn securely. Serious danger to backseat passengers.
Lane departure, May 10, 2022
Vehicle sensor corroded draining battery and stranding my pregnant wife in the winter until I could get to her. Key was stuck in the ignition. This can't happen with a child in the car and it freezing to death outside.
Power train, May 5, 2022
I purchased a used as is 2014 Chevy Cruze with 141000 miles on April 4th 2022. I had been well pleased with the car up until the linkage for the automatic transmission became defective on May 5th 2022. It would not go into any gear. So I opened up the hood and immediately Identified the problem, someone had used zip ties to secure the linkage to the transmission linkage. I called my local auto parts store and they had the proper repair kit for it. I replaced all the missing parts with new ones. Now the vehicle will not go into any forward drive gear. It will however go into reverse. My research on you tube that other mechanics have posted lead me to believe that either the transmission is low on transmission fluid, or the fuse could be blown, or the TCM (Transmission Control Module) is defective. Several authorized dealerships have reported this issue to GM, however GM denies that the transmission they used for the 2008 through 2014 has had any issues, although several forums and dealerships have reported differently. MAN UP GM and fix your foul up!
Suspension, Electrical system, Service brakes, May 1, 2022
Power flickering and multiple errors lit up on dashboard including loss of stability control. Radio kept flashing on and off. Would show back up when pressed brake or regular car in motion. -- Looked up online and appears to be known negative battery cable --- which doesn't show on NHTSA recalls or errors to look out for.
Engine, Apr 27, 2022
I took my car into King Chevrolet last year around August. The car was overheating and the fan was running almost all the time. When they ran the diagnoses which I was charged 100 dollars for, they told me I had a loose plug. About 1 month after that, it started doing it again. I called the service department and was told I should get rid of the car as they are not that good of a vehicle by the service tech. I found the thermostat was broken and replaced it. It helped for a while then I noticed the check engine light and it was code p0420 which stated it was a bad catalytic converter. I noticed a recall in 2018 by GM, recall # 16186. I called them today and they said my car was not affected. It did affect 2014 chevy cruze according to the recall. They wanted me to bring it in to have it diagnosed again for 100 dollars. I have have the valve cover replaced twice as the pvc valve was defective. The car has 116,000 miles now and it had 96,000 when this started happening. I would like to know if they are telling the truth, or just trying to soak me for repairs.
Electrical system, Apr 23, 2022
The radio started to turn on and off and while that was happening it became difficult to steer. The message on the dashboard read "Service Stabilitrak".
Electrical system, Fuel/propulsion system, Mar 25, 2022
I have a 2014 Chevrolet Cruze, and when I turn the ignition off it sounds like it's trying to start on it's own. It also has a faulty catalytic converter.
Engine, Mar 19, 2022
The hose that carries the coolant constantly pops off and leaks coolant. I had it fixed in 2019 at a dealership when it first happened. It started happening again last year and it will over heat. A light in my car comes on saying things are shutting down in order to cool the vehicle. I cant afford to keep fixing it. I don't know why it keeps happening.
Power train, Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Mar 9, 2022
When parked and left to idle after driving for a while, the traction light comes on and the dash displays service StabiliTrak and traction control. After this happens the car seems to lose power and sometimes feels as if the breaks are catching and letting go.
Electrical system, Mar 6, 2022
The touch screen radio unit has totally failed. Without this system, I cannot hear the directional signals or view the backup camera. No aftermarket modifications were made on this or related parts. This car is eight years old and has been maintained according to the manufacturer's service schedule.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Mar 1, 2022
In the steering column it’s really hot where you connect to make a call and where you turn on cruse control. This part of the steering column should not be hot.
Power train, Traction control system, Engine, Feb 25, 2022
The contact owns a 2014 Chevrolet Cruze. The contact stated that while driving at various highway speeds, the vehicle would independently enter into limp mode and downshift as the service traction control, service stabilitrak, reduced engine power, and the check engine warning lights were illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle would not shift out of first gear once the failure occurred. The contact had taken the vehicle to the dealer on multiple occasions and each time the dealer was unable to duplicate the failure. The manufacturer had been notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 30,000.
Other or unspecified, Visibility/wiper, Jan 23, 2022
The heater blend door actuator and or lever gear for the blend door actuator that controls the windshield defrost failed and this raises a major safety concern as it strictly limits your visibility. This is becoming a known issue on the Cruze as i have seen and heard of the problem repeatedly online in the cruze forums. This needs to be seriously addressed to general motors and be taken care of. Plus the cost to fix it is over $1,300.00 as the entire dash needs to come out. Please address this safety concern.
Engine and engine cooling, Jan 3, 2022
The contact owns a 2014 Chevrolet Cruze. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, she started to smell a burning oil odor inside the cabin of the vehicle. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact stated she turned off the heater to stop the odor from entering the cabin. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the turbo oil feed and return line to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired but was pending repairs. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with TSB: PI0851B. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.
Other or unspecified, Jan 3, 2022
Coolant system constantly leaking on thermostat housing, water pump and hoses. I’ve had it repaired 4 times!!
Engine, Dec 27, 2021
While driving check engine light came on and car start losing power and not shifting correctly being close to home attempted to baby vehicle home. Car started to make strange noise immediately pulled over and shut car off. Had car towed to personal mechanic. The turbo has blown apart
Engine, Dec 7, 2021
The car suddenly lacked power and was making a strange noise. The oil level suddenly dropped. Then the engine light came on. We took the car to the dealer. And a few days later we received a letter from Chevrolet about extending the warranty on the PCV valve due to failure. We contacted our personal service person who confirmed that was inline with the PCV failure. We then took it to the Chevrolet dealer who said it would cost 9k to repair despite it being a known issue. This could have resulted in an accident if we had not caught it.
Engine, Dec 3, 2021
My 2014 Cruze has 55600 miles and started to make a ticking noise oil was checked no problem however there was no antifreeze/coolant so I added it. Less than a week later again I had NO antifreeze/coolant I saw that Chevy had a recall on some 2013 & 2014 chevy cruze’s head gasket. My VIN isn’t coming up. I feel after babying my car and servicing her religiously that the issue is the responsibility of the manufacturer.
Engine, Dec 3, 2021
The contact owns a 2014 Chevrolet Cruze. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power. The traction control and check engine warning lights along with various codes were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The contact self-diagnosed the vehicle with a cylinder misfire. The contact replaced the ignition coil pack and four spark plugs; however, the failure recurred. The dealer was made aware of the failure but informed the contact that the VIN was not included in a recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and provided the contact with a code to provide to a dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 28,000.
Engine, Nov 19, 2021
My engine is making whistling sounds, the positive crankcase ventilation (PCV), is failing. This is causing my check engine light to flicker on and off. The diagnostic codes report that the turbo seal may be cracked due to this issue above.
Engine, Nov 17, 2021
The contact owns a 2014 Chevrolet Cruze. The contact had taken the vehicle to a dealer for an oil change however, upon return of the vehicle, the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact's son called the dealer and made an appointment to have the vehicle serviced. The contact informed her son that she would be charged a diagnostic fee and the contact canceled the appointment. The contact then took the vehicle to an independent mechanic where they discovered a coolant leak related to a defective water pump. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 33,047.
Engine, Nov 8, 2021
We have discovered a known issue with the pistons cracking. Seems this issue has impacted a huge number of people. We are now left with an unuseable vehicle that requires 8k in repairs. There are tons of articles and complaints about this issue. Chevrolet must repair or reimburse all those that have been impacted.
Steering, Oct 28, 2021
The contact owns a 2014 Chevrolet Cruze. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle radio will go in and out and the steering wheel would become hard to maneuver. The contact stated that it felt as if the vehicle had lost power however, the vehicle was still running. The contact stated that no warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where no failure could be diagnosed as the failure could not be duplicated. The contact stated that OnStar was also unable to diagnose the failure. The contact stated that the battery cables were replaced however, the failure continued. The contact stated that she believed that the dealer contacted the manufacturer as she was told by the dealer that they had spoken to an engineer. The failure mileage was approximately 57,000.
Power train, Oct 18, 2021
When going from park or a complete stop, the vehicle violently slams into gear and catastrophic failure is only around the corner. It also shifts like this when going back and forth between 4th and 5th. Doing a full trans flush seems to make the issue slightly better but always comes back to being violent again. After speaking with multiple mechanics they all recommend driving it till the trans fails or buying a new car. My car has 213k highway miles on it and the issue has been there since 100k miles (about 3 years ago). Another odd thing about it is that if you shift into manual mode while coasting to a stop and then shifting back to automatic after you exit the complete stop, it avoids the hard slam. The vehicle also shifts fine in manual mode from 4th to 5th. After doing research in group forums ( www.cruzetalk.com ) there are a ton of threads with this EXACT issue.
Power train, Oct 13, 2021
My vehicle takes too long to accelerate. The engine light came on. When checked the code that came up was the turbo.